Is The Fancy Camo Worth It?

Let’s face it, we all know hunters out there that love to drop some serious cash on their gear, and they love showing it off. 9 times out of 10, their camo is something that gets shown off just as much as their bow or rifle. And that same guy barely gets tolerated at the range or in hunting camp, or might not even get the invite at all. Maybe it’s the desire to replicate the looks of famous hunting personalities, a personal appeal to the camo patterns, or just flaunting the status symbol these patterns represent.

Sitka, Kuiu, Badlands, First Lite, Under Armour, Kryptek, and more are all brands synonymous with a higher-than-average price tag, and each sport a long list of fanboys who think these brands can do no wrong. Everyone out there has their own bias as to which camo pattern is guaranteed to work and which patterns are absolute garbage. If you don’t believe me, just post about it on a forum or Facebook group and see what sort of comments come up and arguments get started. Why? Are these pricey options really THAT much better than the cheaper alternatives? What features do they have that justify such a steep price tag?

Putting specific patterns aside, there have been many studies and examples from hunters all across the country that prove that wearing camo head to toe isn’t needed in the slightest to kill a deer or elk. To use the cliche example, people have been killing animals for centuries, long before camouflage clothing ever became popular. Even Fred Bear wore the classic red flannel shirt just as often as the popular camo pattern of his day.

So then WHY spend all that money on camo? Because they look cool? Well, not quite.

The biggest reason to spend the money on the high-end hunting clothes has nothing to do with the camo pattern printed on the clothes.  It’s all about what the clothes are made of. Hunting isn’t easy. We suffer through punishing high-mileage hikes,  driving wind, rain and snow, unforeseen dangers in the woods and much more in our pursuit of wild game. With all that exposure out in the wild, our frail human bodies need all the protection they can get. When the average joe goes outdoors, he wants clothes that will keep him comfortable. When a hunter heads to the woods, he needs clothes that will go well beyond keeping him comfortable. A hunter needs clothes durable enough to hold up to the rigors of hiking up a mountain, staying quiet when stalking and taking a shot, and staying breathable and be comfortable packing a kill off the mountain. Anytime you demand more from any equipment, it increases the price tag. If you want something that will last for years and years, you can’t cut corners.

When it comes to accomplishing the ultimate goal of killing our quarry, people don’t hesitate in the slightest in spending top dollar on a bow or rifle. The average top-tier compound bow on the market in 2018 is well over $1,000. Hunting rifles don’t get any better either. Most rifle setups are just as pricey, and the price tags really go to the moon when you get into long-distance tack drivers. And it doesn’t stop there. Packs, boots, 4x4s, and more all add to the steep price tag of hunting accessories.

So, if people across the country are ready and willing to drop some serious cash on everything else, why is there so much hesitation in spending more money for the clothes you put on your back? Your weapon of choice gets used for a split second of your hunt, whereas you use your clothes constantly during your hunt.

I get it. You don’t want to be “that guy” and wear rich-kid hunting clothes that cost more than your beater high school car did. But when it comes to hunting clothes, think of them like any other piece of gear you buy. Shop based on the demands you put on your gear, pick out quality clothes, and once you’ve checked those boxes, then pick the camo pattern that appeals to the terrain, weather, and your personal preference. Prices can vary a lot when it comes to top-tier clothes, and you’ll often find them on sale. Shop around, compare your options, and you’ll be surprised at what you find. Personally, I wear Badlands Approach clothes. I used to wear Sitka (which I loved), but switched to Badlands. The quality is comparable between both brands, however, the Badlands gear has been cheaper than Sitka, and they’re also a local Utah company where I can go to their factory store to find clearance items for even cheaper.

You don’t have to break the bank when it comes to quality gear, you just have to put in the work to find the right option for your budget. Quality clothes are worth the investment. Buy once, cry once. You won’t regret it.